With what can lice be poisoned using kerosene? - briefly
Kerosene applied directly to the scalp, or mixed with a carrier such as petroleum jelly, serves as a lethal agent for lice. It penetrates the insects’ exoskeleton, causing rapid desiccation.
With what can lice be poisoned using kerosene? - in detail
Kerosene acts as a contact poison for head‑lice, disrupting the insect’s respiratory system when it penetrates the exoskeleton. Its low viscosity allows it to spread over hair shafts, reaching the lice’s ventral plates and causing rapid immobilisation.
To enhance kerosene’s lethality, several adjunct agents are commonly employed:
- Petroleum jelly (vaseline): thickens the mixture, prolongs contact time, and prevents rapid evaporation.
- Essential oils (e.g., tea‑tree, neem, lavender): provide additional neurotoxic compounds and mask the strong odor of kerosene.
- Alcohol (ethanol or isopropyl): lowers surface tension, improves penetration of the liquid into the lice’s body cavity.
- A mild surfactant (e.g., liquid dish soap): creates an emulsion that distributes more evenly through the hair.
A typical preparation mixes one part kerosene with one part petroleum jelly, adds a few drops of essential oil, and incorporates a small quantity of alcohol or surfactant. The resulting paste is applied to damp hair, ensuring full coverage from scalp to tips, left for 20–30 minutes, then rinsed with warm water and a gentle shampoo.
Safety considerations are essential. Kerosene is a skin irritant and a fire hazard; use gloves, work in a well‑ventilated area, and keep away from open flames. Conduct a patch test on a small skin area before full application. After treatment, wash all bedding and clothing with hot water to eliminate residual insects and prevent re‑infestation.